1 Timothy 1:5
What does 1 Timothy 1:5 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 1:5 means
Paul states the end—goal—of the charge: love. But this love has a specific source: a pure heart cleansed before God, a good conscience aligned with His will, and genuine, unhypocritical faith. Doctrine is not an end in itself; rightly taught, it cultivates transformed hearts and relationships marked by love. True teaching produces inward integrity and outward charity. Paul thus gives Timothy a diagnostic: judge teaching by whether it fosters holiness and sincere trust that expresses itself in love. Where teaching lacks these fruits, it has missed the aim, no matter how confident or sophisticated it sounds.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But the effect of the order is love coming from a clean heart, and a knowledge of what is right, and true faith:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now the end of the commandment is charity from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and an unfeigned faith.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the end of what is enjoined is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith;
Context
Having rejected speculative teachings in verse 4, Paul now supplies the positive standard by which all ministry should be measured. This verse anchors the rest of the section: some have swerved from these aims (v. 6) and become talkers rather than shepherds. The flow shows that orthodoxy and love belong together; the absence of love signals doctrinal failure. Verses 6–7 will describe those who have turned aside, wanting to be law-teachers yet lacking understanding, which leads Paul to explain the proper use of the law in verses 8–11.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 3:23
And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment.
- 1 Peter 4:8
above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins:
- 1 Timothy 3:9
holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
- 1 Timothy 1:19
holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith:
- 2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of thee in my supplications, night and day
- Mark 12:28
And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, What commandment is the first of all?
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